Does Speech Therapy work online?
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, telepractice (providing therapy or services remotely via video or other technology) was not widely used. Telepractice has proven to be effective in speech therapy, though its success can depend on several factors. Over the past few years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, many speech therapists have adopted telepractice, and research and real-world experiences show that it can be a valuable tool for delivering speech therapy.
Telepractice for Speech Therapy is simply speech therapy done online (remote, virtually). Instead of going to a clinic, you and your child can work with a speech therapist through a computer, tablet, or smartphone, using video calls and online tools.
How it Works:
- The therapist will guide your child through activities and exercises, just like they would in person, but they do it over a video call.
- You and your child can be at home or any location that works for you, and the therapist can help with things like pronunciation, language skills, or social communication.
Benefits of Telepractice:
- Convenience: You don’t need to travel to a clinic or therapy center. It’s much easier to fit into your schedule because you can have sessions from the comfort of your home.
- Access to Specialists: If you don’t have a speech therapist nearby, telepractice allows you to work with therapists from anywhere, giving you more options.
- Consistency: Telepractice makes it easier to have regular therapy sessions without worrying about weather, transportation, or scheduling conflicts.
- Comfort for Your Child: Some children may feel more relaxed and open when they are at home, which can make therapy sessions more effective.
- Engaging Tools: Therapists can use online games, videos, and interactive activities to make sessions fun and engaging for your child.
- Flexibility: You can have sessions at times that are convenient for you, including after school or on weekends, which makes it easier to fit therapy into a busy family life.
In short, telepractice is a great way to access speech therapy services from home, making it more flexible, convenient, and engaging for your child.
If you would like to read more about the research done that supports Telepractice in speech therapy check out this from The American Speech-Language Hearing Association: The Value of Telepractice in Speech-Language Pathology
Can my child get speech therapy both at school and privately?
Yep, Here’s how:
Speech Therapy at School:
- If your child has trouble speaking or understanding language in a way that affects their learning, they might be able to get speech therapy at school. The school will assess your child’s needs and, if necessary, set up therapy sessions during school hours as part of a special education plan (called an IEP).
- This therapy is usually free because it’s part of the education the school is required to provide.
- Speech Therapy is often provided in a group
Private Speech Therapy:
- You can also choose to take your child to a private therapist, who can work with your child outside of school. Private therapy can give more focused attention to your child’s specific speech issues, and you can schedule it at times that work for you.
- However, private therapy usually costs money, but some insurance plans may help cover part of the cost.
- Speech Therapy is usually provided individually.
Can they get both?
Yes, your child can receive therapy at school and have private therapy at the same time. The school therapy usually focuses on helping with school-related communication, while private therapy can target other issues your child might have, like speaking clearly or social skills.
If your child is getting speech therapy at school, it’s a good idea to talk to the private therapist to make sure both therapies work together and help your child the most.
Speech Therapy REFERENCE GUIDE for Parents!
The following are some explanations of words your speech therapist may use to when describing your child’s communication:
Articulation Delays or Disorders
- Phonological Disorder: it’s when a child struggles to know how to correctly make certain sounds or how to combine them to form words.
- Articulation Delay: Your child is developing speech at a slower pace than expected but might eventually catch up with age.
- Articulation Disorder: Your child consistently has trouble pronouncing certain sounds, even when they should have mastered them by a certain age.
Expressive Language Delays
- Difficulty expressing wants or needs
- Limited vocabulary
- Struggles with grammar and sentence structure
- Trouble finding the right word
Receptive Language Delays
- Trouble pointing to or showing common objects
- Difficulty understanding verbal instructions or information
- Trouble answering “wh-” questions (who, what, where, when, why)
Apraxia of Speech
- The child knows what they want to say but struggles to coordinate mouth muscles to speak
- Speech may be unclear with errors like:
-
- Backing of sounds (e.g., “guck” for “duck”)
- Fronting of sounds (e.g., “tat” for “cat”)
- Deleting sounds (e.g., “oop” for “hoop”)
- Sound substitutions (e.g., “deap” for “leap”)
- Difficulty with /r/ sounds (e.g., “wace” for “race”)
Stuttering
- Repeating sounds, syllables, or words
- Blockages (getting “stuck” on sounds or words)
- Overuse of fillers like “um” or “you know”
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
- Challenges with communication and social interactions
- Difficulty with language understanding and expression
- Attention, problem-solving, and speech difficulties
- Trouble with nonverbal communication (e.g., eye contact, gestures)
Dysphagia
- When a child has difficulty swallowing food, liquids, or even their saliva. In simple terms, it means the child has trouble getting things down the throat and into the stomach.
- Dysphagia can happen for different reasons, like muscle weakness or a problem with how the throat works. Treatment can include therapy to help the child swallow more easily and safely.
Signs of Dysphagia:
- Coughing or choking while eating or drinking
- Taking a long time to eat or drink
- Avoiding certain foods because they are hard to swallow
- Trouble breathing or a runny nose after eating
- Drooling more than usual
Executive Function Deficits are when a child has difficulty with the mental skills needed to plan, organize, remember things, and control their impulses. In simple terms, it’s like having trouble with the “brain tools” that help you manage tasks, follow rules, and stay on track.
What It Looks Like:
- Difficulty planning or organizing tasks (e.g., struggling to complete homework or chores in order)
- Trouble focusing or paying attention for long periods
- Forgetfulness (e.g., forgetting things like assignments, appointments, or instructions)
- Impulsiveness (e.g., making decisions without thinking about the consequences)
- Difficulty managing emotions (e.g., getting upset or frustrated easily when things don’t go as planned)
These skills are important for everyday activities like schoolwork, following routines, and handling social situations. Children with executive function deficits may need support and strategies to help them develop these skills over time.
If you need more information, just call and speak to a speech therapist directly at: 443-875-7606.
